A couple months back I reviewed the lovely Leconfield in Petworth. Such a pretty part of our county. I decided I wanted to return and explore the area during the day. Us Brighton folk can get pretty insular, spoilt as we are with such great bars, restaurants and pubs. But regular readers know how I do like a bit of country pub action. City life needs a bit of balance after all.

My lunch date, the lovely retired CEO of the Coast to Capital LEP, Ron Crank, is himself a man of good taste when it comes to food and wine. Ron suggested the Horse Guards Inn at Tillington near Petworth. Trusting his judgment I happily accepted, especially given the opportunity of a bit of post-lunch exploration.

Nestled within the South Downs National Park near the Petworth Estate, the Horse Guards Inn certainly provides a splendid countryside fix. The pub got its name in the 1840s when it became the ‘regular’ of the household cavalry. Unlike the Leconfield, this is a real pub full of character with oak beams, open log fires and plenty of original features.